News

Double The Dead for All Good’s Throwdown Thursday

DSO on Jam Cruise 8

Masontown, WV’s All Good Music & Camping Festival kicked off last night with “Throwdown Thursday.” The evening had a decidedly Grateful Dead feel thanks to performances by both Dark Star Orchestra and Donna Jean Godchaux. Guitarist Jeff Mattson, who recently joined Dark Star Orchestra fulltime, pulled double duty and played in both bands. Dark Star Orchestra drummer Rob Koritz also played drums in Godchaux’s group.

Despite overlapping players, the two bands offered completely different setlists. Godchaux’s set included “Sugaree,” “She Said She Said,” “No Better Way,” “Help on the Way/Slipknot!” and “Tore Up Over You.” Meanwhile, DSO offered “Scarlet Begonias-> Fire on the Mountain,” “Feel Like a Stranger,” “Loose Lucy,” “Blow Away,” “Cumberland Blues,” “Cassidy,” “Morning Dew” and a run from “China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider-> Eyes of the World-> Drums->Space-> St Stephen-> William Tell Bridge-> The Eleven-> Not Fade Away.” Dark Star Orchestra continues to expand its palette of Dead covers and recently reinterpreted its first Dead show from the ‘60s when the band dove into some new old territory by performing a Grateful Dead setlist from 11/7/69.

Last night’s entertainment also featured Lotus, the New Deal, Fort Knox Five and tweener sets by DJ Harry. Furthur will mark the 15th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s final performance with a headlining appearance at the festival tonight.